It is essential to encourage children to explore different areas of interest while keeping them positively engaged during their adolescent years. Cayman is fortunate to have access to a wide range of free and low-cost programmes geared toward adolescents which can be found below.
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Extended After-School Programmes
The Ministry of Education sponsors an extended after school programme in public primary and high schools which is run by the YMCA. The programme operates from 3pm-5.30pm weekly and there is a rotating range of activities, including sports and homework help. Transportation home is provided for high school students. High school students register through the YMCA website. Primary school parents through the school office. Financial assistance can be sought to help cover the annual fee. Call (345) 922 2432, email easp@ymcacayman.ky or visit www.ymcacayman.ky/programmes
Sports
Athletics
The Truman Bodden Sports Complex (TBSC) comes alive in the afternoons with children doing track and field. There are four different clubs and they are very welcoming: Speed Athletics is run by Coach Porter and you can call him on (345) 525 2793 or email him at speedathleticstrackclub@gmail.com. They take children from the age of four. Falcon Athletics works with children from the age of 8-20 and you can email them on falconathleticsky@gmail.com. Hy-Tech Tigers TFC accepts children from the age of six and you can contact Coach Williams on hytechtrackclub@gmail.com or by calling (345) 925 1943. The Mustang Track Club accepts children from the age of five and you can call them on (345) 925 6917 or email: mustangtrackclub1@gmail.com. Finally, the Special Olympics Cayman Islands offers a variety of sports training for children and adults ages 8+ with intellectual disabilities. To learn more, visit www.soci.ky.
Baseball & Softball
The YMCA Youth Baseball and Softball Programme welcomes boys and girls ages 4–18, from first-time players to experienced athletes. Participants develop their skills in a safe, positive environment that promotes teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy competition. The season runs from January through June, with all games and activities taking place at the Dart Field of Dreams. To learn more or register, visit www.ymcacayman.ky/ybs, call (345) 926 9622 or email: info@ymcacayman.ky.
Basketball
The Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA) provides after-school training for girls and boys aged 10-16. Practice takes place on Thursdays and Fridays from 3.30pm-5.30pm at the King's Sports Centre, for a monthly fee of CI$25. CIBA offers multiple national programmes and leagues for U10, U13, U15, U17, and senior divisions for both men and women. Athletes train for regional and national competitions year-round. They also offer tailored sessions on Saturday mornings 9am-12.30pm at the First Baptist Christian School gymnasium for ages 7-16 during the school year. Email: info@caymanbasketball.com for further details, or call Coach Anglin at (345) 928 9072.
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Cricket
Cayman Cricket offers a fantastic pathway for young players to develop their skills and love of the game. During the school year, its Cricket Academy runs from September through June, with coaching sessions for boys and girls in the U15 and U19 age groups on Saturdays (9am-11.30am) and Sundays (9am-10.30am). For more information about Cayman Cricket’s youth programs, email secretary@caymancricket.ky or call David Bernard on (345) 517 9328.
Football
Academy Football Club provides opportunities for families from different socio-economic backgrounds on a case-by-case basis by accepting assistance through fundraising and volunteering time in lieu of fees. For more information, call (345) 916 7389, email: coaches@academysports.ky or visit www.academysportsclub.ky.
Karate
Students can sign up for a free trial class with Cayman Associated Schools of Karate (C.A.S.K.) at the Kings Sports Centre. Their youth programme is CI$135 a month, but adolescents may be eligible for scholarships or financial assistance. For more information, contact the Chief Instructor Greg Reid directly. Tel: (345) 925 3367 or visit www.caskcayman.com.
Netball
Netball Cayman, operates several netball programmes across the Cayman Islands. Beginning with its grassroots development programme, Turtle Netters, which caters to children ages 5-10, the organization also offers programmes for U12, U14, U16, U21, and Adults.
Netball remains one of the most popular sports across all three Cayman Islands, with both public and private schools actively participating in the sport.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Ms. Teneisha Wilson, President of Netball Cayman, at (345) 326 1729 or via email at president@cinetball.ky. Alternatively, you may contact Ms. Lyneth Monteith, 2nd Vice President, at (345) 925 4337 or via email at 2ndvp@cinetball.ky. For more information, visit www.caymannetball.com.
Rugby
The Rugby Club in South Sound runs a well-established programme for students up to the age of 18 with yearly junior membership fees of CI$125. Both girls and boys are encouraged to come down. Contact Caroline Deegan for more information on (345) 525 6743, email: caroline.deegan@caymanrugby.com, or visit www.caymanrugby.com.
Computing/Tech/Coding
Code (Cayman) offers an after-school programme dedicated to supporting tech enthusiasts. During the programme, participants will learn to code using html, CSS and JavaScript and will find that developing software is only an idea away. Designed for children age 10-14 years old, this programme is free and run at various times of the year. Visit Code (Cayman) to find out more.
Personal Development & Leadership
One2One Cayman (was Big Brothers Big Sisters) is a child, youth and young adult mentoring organisation with an age range for its mentees of 7-25 years old. Programmes are typically one-on-one matches, however the Young Parenting Mentoring Programme, Boys Mentoring Network and Girls Mentoring Circle are group settings . Mentors and mentees meet regularly, with professional support provided by staff. For more information, call: (345) 326 7967 or visit www.one2one.ky.
The Cadet Corps instils life skills and high standards of conduct through military-style activities. Three programmes are offered: band cadets, marine cadets and army cadets. The programmes could result in BTEC Level 2 qualification and/or honours in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. They accept boys and girls from ages 11-19. For further information, email: cadetcorps@gov.ky, call (345) 946 9810 or visit www.gov.ky/web/mdaha/cadet-corps
Girlguiding helps girls build their confidence, discover their full potential and make a positive difference in the community. The Guides has various age group categories: Rainbows (5-7 years), Brownies (7-10 years), Guides (10-14 years) and Rangers (14-18 years). Girl Guides work hard to make their pricing as inclusive as possible for all members of the community. Visit www.girlguidingcaymanislands.ky for further information.
The Scouts Association is a non-formal educational programme which encourages the holistic development of boys through outdoor activities. From the Beaver Scout programme (6-8 years) to the Cub Scouts (8-11 years) to the Scouts (11-16 years) and the Explorers (16-21), boys will develop vital skills and earn badges. Groups meet weekly. Call Winston on (345) 939 8813 for more information.
The TAYA Lounge is run through the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre (email: taya@cicc.ky) and it offers individual or group sessions to help youths build healthy relationships through communication tools and emotional management.
Arts & Culture
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands runs the Walkers' Art Club, an after school Art Programme for ages 5-17. The classes are sponsored by Walkers and are free to attend. Register online at www.nationalgallery.org.ky.
Cayman Youth Choir runs three choirs for ages 3-18 on Mondays and Tuesdays at John Gray High School. The choir is sponsored by Cayman Arts Festival and there is no fee to join. No audition necessary, and it is open to all children and teens. Email: caymanyouthchoir@gmail.com or call (345) 922 2079 for more information.
Time to Spare
Devoting time to a charitable cause is a valuable way to teach adolescents a sense of community responsibility. Cayman is very fortunate to be home to a large number of non-profit organisations and charities that assist different groups in need across the Islands.
The Cayman Islands Humane Society (Tel: (345) 949 1461 or visit www.caymanislandshumanesociety.com) is always looking for volunteers and is a great way for adolescents to get active through dog walking or helping with pet grooming and animal care.
Church Groups
Most churches in Cayman offer a Friday night youth group. They provide a supportive environment for your adolescent’s spiritual development and encourage teenagers to actively support their congregation. The Cayman Islands Baptist Church boasts one of the strongest youth followings. Their 'Friday Night Fuel' includes food, fun, fellowship and faith! It caters to two age groups, Junior Youth (7-8) at 6.30-8.30pm and Youth Group (9-18) at 7.30-9pm. Call (345) 946 2422 or visit www.cibaptist.ky for more information.